Chapter 7: Foreign Affairs in the Early Republic Lesson 2: The War of 1812

Major Battles of the War of 1812

War Begins The United States did not have a large army at the beginning of the War of In July 1812, General William Hull led troops from Detroit toward Canada and encountered Tecumseh and his warriors. Hull surrendered Detroit. Fall of Fort Detroit

Battle for Lake Erie Oliver Hazard Perry, commander of the Lake Erie naval forces, assembled a fleet to seize the lake from the British. In a bloody battle, Perry’s forces defeated British troops. Perry’s victory

Americans had three of the fastest frigates, or warships, afloat that successfully destroyed British ships. American privateers, armed private ships, also captured numerous British vessels.

Battle of the Thames Tecumseh was killed in the Battle of the Thames on October 5, 1813.

By the end of 1813, the American had won some battles on land and at sea.

Battle of Horseshoe Bend Andrew Jackson, a Tennessee planter, led an attack against the Creek in March Defeat at The Battle of Horseshoe Bend forced the Creek to give up their lands to the United States.

Question Break #1 Fighting in the War of 1812 began with an American invasion of what country? What happened at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend? What allowed the Americans to win early battles?

The British Offensive In August 1814, the British sailed into Chesapeake Bay and over-powered American troops outside Washington, D.C. The British marched into the city and burned the Capitol and the White House. The burning of Washington, D.C.

The British left Washington, D.C., and sailed to Baltimore. American troops were waiting in Baltimore when the British attacked. Francis Scott Key wrote a song about the battle that is now the national anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner.” Fort McHenry in Baltimore

British troops entered New York State from Canada to capture Plattsburgh, a key city on the shore of Lake Chaplain. An American naval force on Lake Champlain defeated the British, and they retreated to Canada. The British decided that to continue fighting would cost them too much with little to gain.

The Treaty of Ghent On December 24, 1814, the United States and Britain signed a peace agreement called the Treaty of Ghent. Signing of the Treaty of Ghent

The Battle of New Orleans Before news of the treaty became known, another battle broke out in New Orleans. The Americans, led by Andrew Jackson, won the battle. The Battle of New Orleans

The Hartford Convention New England Federalists gathered at the Hartford Convention in December 1814 and discussed secession. Word arrived about Jackson’s victory in New Orleans and the peace treaty. The Federalist party appeared unpatriotic.

American naval forces defeat the British. British forces overwhelmed the militia and burned most of the government buildings. American forces defeat British forces decisively.

Question Break #2 Why were the British able to send more forces to America to fight after the spring of 1814? In August 1814, the British sent a force up Chesapeake Bay that landed and burned __________. “The Star Spangled Banner” was written about the defense of which American city? Why was the Battle of Lake Champlain important in the course of the War of 1812?